Square Enix Manga & Books has announced the licensing of nine new manga titles, with The Apothecary Diaries: Xiaolan's Story leading the pack.

The spinoff focuses on Xiaolan, a character from the popular series The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto), which follows court apothecary Maomao in ancient China-inspired imperial palace intrigue. The main series has gained significant popularity through both its manga adaptation and recent anime series.

While specific details about the other eight licensed titles remain limited, this acquisition demonstrates Square Enix's continued commitment to expanding their English manga catalog. The publisher has been actively building their manga division, bringing various Japanese titles to Western readers.

The Apothecary Diaries has become a standout series in recent years, blending mystery, historical drama, and medical knowledge in an engaging story. The anime adaptation, which aired in 2023, introduced many new fans to Maomao's world of poison detection and court politics.

No release dates have been announced yet for these new titles, but fans of The Apothecary Diaries can look forward to exploring more of this richly detailed world through Xiaolan's perspective. Square Enix typically provides digital and physical releases for their manga titles, making them accessible across multiple platforms.